Silhouettes above the cradle hold me down
They won't let me go the wrong way
My mother taught me all the fables, told me how
In the end all the sinners have to pay
But

[Chorus]
I don't want to live like my mother
I don't want to let fear rule my life
And I don't want to live like my father
I don't want to give up before I die

He worked so hard his bones are breaking
He wore them down but long ago he lost the feeling
His good intentions leave me shaking, show me how
I don't ever want to end up like he did
And

[Chorus]

When I have kids
I won't put any chains on their wrists, I won't
I'll tell them this
There's nothing in this world that you can't be if you want it enough

[Chorus: x3]


Lyrics submitted by ruben

Silhouettes Lyrics as written by John Parker Derek Gledhill

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Silhouettes song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

44 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General Comment
    its one of those songs that hits home with many people and in a way...parents should listen to songs like these because it may open their eyes
    sumimasen08on April 29, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    I believe the meaning of this song is pretty obvious. Great tune for a heathen :)
    stratocaster_1998on June 21, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    yea its obvious and its great but alot of people that ive seen dont care they dont care that they're going to be just like their parents and thats stupid isnt the point of parents to children is so that the children end up with a better life then the parents
    wiredmonkiekilleron July 05, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    i absolutely love this song... it's got to be one of the best i've ever heard... and i TOTALLY relate to is, as i'm sure most of everyone else does!
    FatalBabyCakeson April 13, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    For me the song means alot more than just "i know how it feels".This song is my life.17 years of this and someone put my feelings in a song.thanks.
    bbabyboy64on May 20, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Best Song THey Do... Awesome Live
    ADimeADexteron May 25, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This is my favorite SES song too, New Found Glory. Yeah, the meaning's pretty obvious. It's really a song that most anyone can plug into their lives, which makes it all the more powerful. Go Smile Empty Soul =).
    LaDiabloon May 27, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    the first time i heard this song, it made me cry (ok i cry at about anything...) but this is such a beautiful song it's my favorite song by them, tied with this is war. it really matches with my life..completely awesome
    MuSiCfReAk728on June 05, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    ok i love this song but i agre wif 'weirdmonkiekiller' its goin to get ruined cuz all these lozer teenagers that h8 their parents maybe 1 out of 10 pple that say they can relate to this reely can, i wish i could say i do, but i dont...nuf said sry 1 more thing METALLICA KIKS ASS!!!!!!!!
    MetaLLiCA-FRkon June 14, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is probably my favorite from these guys. The message is clear but I'd like to dig into it a bit more. For one thing, there is an overall theme of self imprisonment, or at least another person teaching his siblings that. "in the end all the sinners have to pay but..." Okay, I used to hold myself back in pushing beliefs, but now I know that I never have pushed them. But guys, I have a personal relationship with God, and God is NOT THIS WAY!!!!!!! You are not to remove your sin yourself, or whip yourself for each failure there after. Sin is only two things: Intention and circumstance. And the way there world is, so many of us are born into sin (the latter). Remember that when you form a relationship with God, or whoever you worship, the sin will be removed from you. It's a mere choice you make, and God does the rest. This is my fav stanza: "when i have kids i won't put any chains on their wrists, i won't i'll tell them this there's nothing in this world that you can't be if you want it enough" This is SOOO absolutely true for me. If I didn't believe in me and found my faith instead of having it spat at me, I wouldn't know my destiny like it is. And it is huge. In fact, so many of us good people have big destinies. By limiting yourself to a doctrine spoken from someone else, you limit yourself period. Believe in the magic in this world, because it is there. Just waiting, for so many has condemned and/or ignored it. It's something free. Take it.
    chino69on September 20, 2004   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!